Tag: new york city

Navigating New York

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It’s been twenty-something years since I first visited New York City.  I remember how scared I was of getting around the city and didn’t quite understand the subway system.  Needless to say, a lot of money was spent on cab rides to and from the airport and around Manhattan.

After being based in the New York for 19 years, finally, I think I can say that I have it all figured out.  Much to my surprise, many do not.  And when I say many, I am really referring to my fellow flight attendants.  Certainly, I do not expect someone to arrive in New York city, if they’ve never been there, and understand all the ins and outs.  What puzzles me is that there are flight attendants that have been based there just as long or longer than me and still do not know how to get from one airport to the other or even just into Manhattan without a cab.

Here are some helpful tips for anyone trying to get from one airport to the other, from the airports to Manhattan or just getting around on the subway.

You booked a crazy itinerary to get a cheap fare.  You are landing in LaGuardia and flying out a few hours later from JFK on an international flight. Getting from LaGuardia Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport can be accomplished in many ways.  

  • Take a cab.  When walking out of baggage claim, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic and the time of day, a yellow cab will cost around $45.00 and take a minimum of 25 minutes.   Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  New York has excellent bus and subway service. Unfortunately, these two airports are not connected by the subway, but you can achieve the same outcome by taking a combination of bus and subway.  From LGA, purchase a Metrocard from a ticket machine (located within the terminals) and add fare.   By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.  If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  Take the Q70 bus (direct service) to Roosevelt Station.  Total travel time is about 8-10 minutes.  You may also take the Q47 bus, but travel time will be longer as it makes more stops. At Roosevelt Station, take the E train to Jamaica Station.  At Jamaica Station, change to the Airtrain ($5 fee required) and disembark at the appropriate terminal for your airline.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare is $14.00 and drop-off will be at the terminal of your choice.
  • ETS Shuttle.  Private service or shuttle service.  Shuttle service is $10 per person between LGA and JFK, booked at the ground transportation desk.  See the agent in the red jacket.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between the two.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a $31-42 fare.
  • All of the above options can be used from when traveling from JFK to LGA.

Flying into LaGuardia or JFk airport, you want to head into Manhattan for a fun weekend. 

  • Take a cab. When walking out of both LGA’s and JFK’s baggage claims, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic, time of day and drop-off point in the city, a yellow cab from LGA to Manhattan will cost anywhere between $36-$44, with minimum ride time averaging around 30 minutes, again, depending on time of day and drop-off point in the city.   A yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan will average $66-$70 depending on traffic, time of day and drop-off point in the city.  Ride time is approximately 45-60 minutes.  Some cab companies may charge a flat rate from JFK-Manhattan of $52 + tolls.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  Traveling from LGA to Manhattan, you can take the M60 bus to Astoria and catch the subway.   The N or the Q subway lines will take you into the city.  You can also take the same M60 bus all the way into Manhattan. You can also take the Q47 or the Q70 Limited (direct service) to Roosevelt station.  At Roosevelt station, you can connect to the E, F, M and R subway lines.   A Metrocard can be purchased in the baggage claim area from one of the ticket machines.  By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.    If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  From JFK to Manhattan, the Airtrain can be taken to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station.  A $5.00 fee is required to exit the Airtrain station.  At Jamaica Station, you can connect to the E train (for western Queens, midtown Manhattan, and connections to the Bronx) and the J and Z trains (for central Queens and Northern Brooklyn).  Total ride time is approximately 60-75 minutes and fare, $2.75.  At the Jamaica Station, you can also access the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Penn Station, fare $10.00 (Peak) and $7.25 (Off-Peak).  Ride time from Jamaica station is approximately 30 minutes. From Howard Beach Station, you can connect to the A train for southern Queens, Brooklyn and lower Manhattan.  Fare $2.75.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30 pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare to Manhattan is $14.00 per person, offering three drop-off points, Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Penn Station.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between either LGA or JFK and Manhattan.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a $40 fare from LGA to Penn Station and a $47-$62 fare from JFK to Penn Station.

You are flying into LaGuardia or JFK airports and need to get to Newark Airport, later in the day.

  • Take a cab. When walking out of both LGA’s and JFK’s baggage claims, there are signs directing you to the outside of the terminal and ground transportation.  It’s usually not very difficult to locate the taxi stand.  Depending on traffic and time of day, a yellow cab from LGA to EWR will cost anywhere between $94-$126, with minimum ride time averaging around one hour, again.  A yellow cab from JFK to EWR will average $122-$132 depending on traffic.  Ride time is approximately 60-75 minutes.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Private Cab or Car Service.  You can call a private cab company or car service. Most charge comparable rates to yellow cabs and can also arrange for “meet and greet” service for an extra charge.
  • Public transport.  From LGA, take the M60 bus to Astoria and catch the subway.   The N or the Q subway lines will take you into the city, switching at Times Square to the 1, 2 or 3 lines in the direction of Downtown.  One stop and you will be at Penn Station.  You can also take the same M60 bus all the way into Manhattan.  At 125 St – Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Av), connect to the 2 or 3 lines to Penn Station or at 125 St – St Nicholas Av/ Frederick Douglass Blvd, take the A or the C line to Penn Station.  You can also take the Q47 or the Q70 Limited (direct service) from LGA to Roosevelt station.  At Roosevelt station, you can connect to the E subway line to Penn Station.  From LGA, purchase a Metrocard from a ticket machine (located within the terminals) and add fare.   By purchasing a Metrocard and adding fare, you will be able to make the transfer between the bus and the subway for free…your two rides will only cost $2.75 plus $1.00 for the Metrocard if you do not already have one.  If you purchase a single bus ticket, no transfer is allowed, resulting in you having to purchase a separate subway ticket for an additional $2.75.  Once at Penn Station, follow the signs to Jersey Transit trains.  Purchase a ticket and watch the boards to see which track your train is departing on.  Be sure to disembark at Newark International Airport and not Newark Penn Station. Fares are $13.00 and travel time is approximately 27-30 minutes.
  • NYC Airporter.  Bus service that departs every 30 minutes on the hour from each terminal at JFK and Laguardia airports between the hours of 5:00 am and 11:30pm.  When exiting the baggage claim area, there is usually a sign and an Airporter representative available.  One-way fare to Newark is $27.00 per person from both JFK and LGA and requires a bus transfer.  Travel time between JFK and EWR is two hours and travel time between LGA and EWR is one and a half hours.
  • ETS Shuttle.  Private service or shuttle service.  Shuttle service is $31 per person between LGA and JFK, booked at the ground transportation desk.  See the agent in the red jacket.
  • Uber.  Use the Uber app on your phone and set up a ride between either LGA or JFK and Newark International Airport.  Rides prices vary, but expect about a fare of $104-$129 from LGA to EWR and a fare of $115-$143 from JFK to EWR.

You are staying in Manhattan near Grand Central Station and want to see the Brooklyn Bridge.  How do you get there?

  • Hail a cab.  Cabs are everywhere in New York City.  When hailing a cab, watch for cars in which the light is not illuminated.  When the light is illuminated, the cab is occupied.  Walk to the edge of the curb or near the street and wave to cab…you can even whistle while waving!  Give the cab driver your destination name or address.  The meter will begin with the initial fare of $2.50 and the final fare will also contain taxes.  Expect fare to be about $20 + tip.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Take the Subway.  Fare, $2.75 metrocard or $3.00 one-time ride.  The subway is very easy to navigate and extremely safe.  Board the subway at the nearest station, Grand Central.  Check your subway map and look at the line which will take you to the Brooklyn Bridge.  In this case, it will be the 4, 5 or 6 (Green) lines.  How do you know which way to go?  Easy.  Look at the end of that subway line for the final station.  You will either follow signs for the lines to the station or in most cases, in Manhattan, it will say either Uptown or Downtown.  Since you are traveling down to the south of Manhattan, you will take the line in the direction of Downtown.  Watch the stations as you pass by or watch the electronic map displayed in your subway car so that you are aware of when to disembark.  If unsure, ask a local. Never have I had someone not assist me willingly. Additionally, carry a subway map with you or download a New York Subway map on to your phone.

You’ve walked on the Brooklyn Bridge and now and want to travel from Brooklyn Bridge to the Times Square to buy try your luck at the TKTS booth for a half-price ticket for a Broadway musical.

  • Hail a cab.  Cabs are everywhere in New York City.  When hailing a cab, watch for cars in which the light is not illuminated.  When the light is illuminated, the cab is occupied.  Walk to the edge of the curb or near the street and wave to cab…you can even whistle while waving!  Give the cab driver your destination name or address.  The meter will begin with the initial fare of $2.50 and will also contain taxes.  Expect fare to be about $22 + tip.  Try www.taxifarefinder.com to get an estimate for your ride.
  • Take the Subway.  Fare, $2.75 metrocard or $3.00 one-time ride. First, take a look at your subway map and see what line the Times Square is on…7 (Purple).  First look for a place where the line you are one might intersect which one of those lines. Since they do intersect, take the 4, 5 or 6 (Green) Uptown until you are back at Grand Central.  Exit the train and follow signs to the 7 line to 34th Street (last stop in the direction you are going).  Watch the stations as you pass by or watch the electronic map displayed in your subway car so that you are aware of when to disembark or refer to the NYC Subway map app on your phone.

 

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